The Great Lakes could be swimming with invasive carp in Illinois, and Michigan, and the Army Corps of Engineers don't agree soon. The standoff, which has been ongoing for months, pivots on a disputatious funding and construction outline for the proposed Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), aimed to prevent the carp from upending the region's ecosystem and economy. In a letter to the U.S. Army, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated, "While the federal government has determined this project is of the highest priority, the taxpayers of Illinois and Michigan should not be the only states to carry the burden of the non-federal share of funding when the entire Great Lakes region will certainly experience the devastating impact of inaction," according to WBEZ.
The cost of the project, seen as the billion-dollar bulwark against the carp, is estimated at over $1.14 billion. The federal government has committed to covering 90% of these costs, leaving Illinois and Michigan grappling with the recalcitrant remaining 10%. Despite the dire needs, Illinois is cautious about over-committing state funds without clarity on the long-term financial implications. As Governor Pritzker's spokesperson pointed out, "It would be irresponsible to write a blank check to the Corps of Engineers or any other project manager without having a better understanding of what we’re agreeing to for the long term," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
To begin addressing the threat immediately, Governor Pritzker has proposed an agreement that would release $226 million in already allocated federal funds for initial construction and design, which has been on hold since 2022. His office argues that this incremental approach will get the carp deterrents in place swiftly while further discussions take place. The state's fiscal responsibility, however, includes the perpetual costs of operating and maintaining BRIP, with current expenditures for the existing electric barrier amounting to roughly $15 million yearly.
Adding to the state's consternation, a property pivotal to the BRIP's construction, which Illinois is expected to purchase, happens to be marred by coal-ash contamination. The extent and cost of necessary remediation remain elusive, as an ongoing case before the Illinois Pollution Control Board has yet to conclude. A spokesperson for the governor's office stressed, "The scope and cost of the required remediation aren’t known," leaving financial implications for Illinois taxpayers up in the air.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Michael Connor, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, indicating an earnest response to the governor's concerns is forthcoming by stating, "We appreciate Governor Pritzker’s letter, and I will respond directly to the Governor soon, as we look for the best approach to make use of the resources we have on hand to move the Brandon Road Interbasin Project forward."
